Vera Baird re-elected as Northumbria PCC

Ben O’Connell

Labour’s Vera Baird has been re-elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for the Northumbria Police force area.

She received 180,479 of first-choice votes in today’s count at Silksworth Leisure Centre, Sunderland, more than half of those cast and enough to see her elected outright without second-choice preferences having to be taken into account.

The total turnout was 334,277, or 32.1 per cent, but in Northumberland, where there were no council elections, the turnout was 21.6 per cent (50,730 votes). However, this was higher than in 2012 – 16.5 per cent.

The Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, Steve Ashman, has welcomed the re-election of Ms Baird.

He said: “I wish to personally congratulate Commissioner Baird on being chosen by the people of Northumbria to continue in her role as Police and Crime Commissioner.

“Over the last few years, Ms Baird and I have worked closely to ensure the effective delivery of high policing standards within our local communities. Together, we’ve tackled the financial pressures of funding cuts and implemented a range of positive changes and innovative approaches to benefit local people and our valued workforce.

“I fully support the priorities and crime objectives set out by Ms Baird and welcome the expertise she brings. We share a determination to keep officers on the streets and, importantly, a commitment to ensuring victims remain at the heart of everything we do. I am proud of the progress we have made so far and look forward to building on this as we shape the force for the future.”